In The News


Lawmen take on plague of domestic violence
By Jessica Fargen
Boston Herald
Thursday, October 11, 2007

As district attorneys, police and battered women’s advocates mark National Domestic Violence Month, they acknowledge that for all their efforts over the years, abuse continues to rise and the number of people who die because of domestic violence is going up.

Just five days ago, a Suffolk University Law student was arrested after allegedly roughing up his 23-year-old girlfriend, also a law student, in their Boston apartment, where officers found three loaded guns and two dozen shotgun shells, according to a police report.

“Please don’t kill me,” the woman pleaded as her 28-year-old boyfriend held her down on a bed, according to a police report.

“I really want to kill you,” he allegedly told her before letting her go at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
A victim witness advocate from the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, which is taking part in the awareness month, helped her apply for a restraining order.

Homicides linked to domestic violence - which stood at 39 through the first eight months of the year - are on pace to break a 12-year Bay State record. They’ve been marked by several high-profile cases including a long-abused Cape Cod doctor arrested for shooting her husband in self-defense in April.

“It’s important to keep this issue present before people and continue to ask for support on these issues,” said Mary Lauby, executive director of Jane Doe Inc., a domestic violence awareness group.

District attorneys’ offices are promoting and taking part in awareness activities all month.

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley’s office will help with a candlelight vigil tonight in Roslindale and a roundtable discussion in Chelsea on Oct. 26, as well as promoting fund-raisers and parent training.

Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz’s office is sponsoring a wireless phone recycling drive in support of Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program.

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office started a new domestic violence unit last month. Next month, Leone will announce the formation of a domestic violence roundtable for Malden and Somerville.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1037325